PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

Millions of Americans turn to PBS for the solid, reliable reporting that has made PBS News Hour one of the most trusted news programs in television.

Watch Latest: S2025 E5

26m 45s

White House: Future of Syria depends on 'choices they make'

6m 6s

U.S. officials say they are closely monitoring the situation in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. It could have widespread ramifications for the region and the world. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.

Syria seeks to build government after fall of Assad

5m 31s

After 13 brutal years of war, Syrians breathe free after the fall of the autocratic Assad dynasty. Bashar al-Assad and his family are now in Russia, which extended them asylum. The seizure of the nation by insurgents rocked the region and the world. But for many Syrians, the task after the fall of Assad was to take stock of the catastrophic damage and what the future holds. Nick Schifrin reports.

Half-century of iron rule ends as rebels seize Syria

8m 24s

For more than half a century, Syria had been ruled with an iron fist by the Assad regime. It all came to an end this weekend with lightning speed, as rebels took control of the capital city of Damascus, and with it, the country. What lies ahead now for Syria and the Middle East is an open question. Hassan Hassan, founder and editor in chief of New Lines magazine, joins John Yang to discuss.

News Wrap: Trump calls for ‘immediate cease-fire’ in Ukraine

2m 29s

In our news wrap Sunday, Trump called for an “immediate cease-fire” between Ukraine and Russia and said in an interview that he plans to end birthright citizenship in the U.S., New York police released new photos of the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and a pair of iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” sold at auction for $28 million.

How governments use spyware to monitor citizens’ phones

7m 16s

This past week, the White House detailed the scope of a massive Chinese hacking campaign that reaped information from American cell phone networks. But an HBO original documentary, “Surveilled,” says some governments use commercial spyware to monitor their own citizens. To learn more, John Yang speaks with Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, who produced the documentary.

A student and teacher connect over small acts of kindness

2m 58s

In 1958, when John Cruitt’s mother died, his third-grade teacher made a small gesture of kindness that meant a great deal to him. In this animated feature from our partners at StoryCorps, he sat down with Cecile Doyle decades later to tell her how that gesture changed his life — and in the process made a difference in her life as well.

Trump returns to the world stage at Notre Dame’s reopening

7m 50s

Against the Paris skyline, the Notre Dame Cathedral has risen from the ashes with its official reopening Saturday. Dozens of world leaders, diplomats and celebrities attended the celebration of the monument’s rebirth, including a high-profile return to the global spotlight for President-elect Trump. John Yang speaks with Heather Conley, senior advisor to the German Marshall Fund, for more.

Christmas tree farm overcomes Hurricane Helene’s destruction

4m 48s

Hurricane Helene’s path of destruction in the mountains of North Carolina devastated one of the region’s big industries: Christmas tree farming. One family operation overcame obstacles to get its crop to market, including one special tree that ended up in the White House. Ali Rogin reports.

Would a lower legal limit for drunk driving improve safety?

5m 38s

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, drunk driving crashes are as much as 40 percent higher between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than the rest of the year. The legal blood alcohol limit in the U.S. is higher than around the world, and advocates say lowering it would reduce fatal car crashes. John Yang speaks with researcher James Fell to learn more.

News Wrap: Hamas releases new video of young Israeli hostage

2m 46s

In our news wrap Saturday, Hamas released a video of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, Syrian opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Damascus, lawmakers in South Korea’s ruling party boycotted a vote in parliament to impeach President Yoon, and veterans and current service members gathered in Hawaii to honor those killed at Pearl Harbor 83 years ago today.

Rebirth of Michigan Central a symbol of Detroit's comeback

7m 58s

A restoration of past glory, a renovation toward future growth and potential consequences and conflicts in the present. That’s the story of Michigan Central, a grand addition to Detroit’s economic and cultural life. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Brooks and Capehart on Biden's pardon and Trump's nominees

10m 41s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including President Biden's pardon of his son has drawn scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, President-elect Trump's nominees continue to face heavy scrutiny on Capitol Hill and other issues shaping the transition.

Transgender lawmaker on backlash surrounding trans rights

6m 25s

Two years ago, Leigh Finke became the first trans person elected to the Minnesota state legislature. Even though she endured numerous threats, she leveraged her position, and a Democratic majority, to help pass legislation protecting other trans people in her state. Finke joined William Brangham to discuss the triumphs and the vitriol surrounding transgender rights in America.

Examining the changes RFK Jr. could make to food regulations

8m 15s

President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has raised a number of questions in the public health community about Kennedy’s long history of opposing vaccines. It’s also put a spotlight on a number of other comments he’s made, including about what millions of Americans eat and drink each day. William Brangham reports.

Romania election results tossed after interference fears

5m 36s

Romania’s constitutional court threw out the results of the election’s first round and delayed the second round. The sitting government says there was a vast influence effort by a foreign actor to boost the candidacy of a candidate dubbed as pro-Russian, anti-NATO and anti-semitic. Nick Schifrin reports.

Musk, Ramaswamy try to build support for slashing government

5m 21s

It was a busy day on Capitol Hill where Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy met with House and Senate Republicans. The two were recently appointed by President-elect Trump to lead a new commission that aims to reduce government spending. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, continues to face an uphill climb on his path to confirmation. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Syrian rebels capture Hama, another blow to Assad government

3m 28s

Rebels dealt another blow to the Syrian government by capturing a city in the center of the country. Opposition forces took control of Hama, one of the few cities that remained largely under government control since the civil war started in 2011. The northern city of Aleppo fell earlier this week as the opposition launched a major operation against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. John Yang reports.

Family of Gaza chef killed in strike says he was targeted

9m 19s

In North Gaza, Mahmod Almadhoun, fed the famished. They called him Chef Mahmoud for running a soup kitchen for the most vulnerable. He opened a school with a sign on the roof in Hebrew and English reading, "Please don’t bomb." On the morning of Nov. 30, Almadhoun’s family says he was killed by an Israeli drone. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Almadhoun's brother, Hani Almadhoun.

News Wrap: Macron vows to stay in office after PM's ouster

4m 48s

In our news wrap Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to stay in office until the end of his term after his prime minister was ousted, the manhunt continues for the suspect who stalked and killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York and the Department of Justice found that Memphis Police routinely used excessive force and discriminated against Black residents.

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